Over The Oxer

In this episode, I’m joined by three outstanding equestrian coaches — each a highly qualified mindset coach and Master NLP Practitioner — for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of horsemanship, psychology and performance. Dressage specialist Samantha Osborn, a Centre 10 Coach from Somerset, shares her insights into developing mental clarity, confidence and consistency in the arena. Sar...

As we come to the very last episode of 2025 (and honestly, where did that year go?), I wanted to slow things down a little and end the year with something genuinely useful. In this episode, I explore why time can feel as though it’s racing away from us and, drawing on psychology and NLP, I share three simple, practical techniques you can use to change your experience of time—without adding another...

In this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by rising British flat jockey Georgia Dobie. At just 26, Georgia has carved out an inspiring career in one of the toughest and most competitive corners of horse racing — and she’s still only getting started. From leaving home at 16 to train at the British Racing School, chasing her dreams across the UK and even to Australia, Georgia shares what it’...

You’ve prepared your mindset in the days leading up to a ride, and you’ve set yourself up for calm before mounting… but what happens once you’re actually in the saddle? In this final episode of the series, Tracey Cole reveals simple, practical strategies for those first crucial moments of your ride. From choosing a powerful anchor word to a quick body and mind check-in, and even reframing mistakes...

What if the way you prepare your mind in the minutes before you ride could transform the entire experience in the saddle? In this episode, Tracey Cole shares simple but powerful mindset techniques you can use on the day of your ride — even while you’re tacking up. Discover how strategic breathing, grounding methods, and mental rehearsal can shift you from anxious or overthinking into calm, connect...

Ready to transform your riding mindset? In this episode, Tracey Cole explores simple yet powerful strategies you can start using days — or even just 24 hours — before you ride to feel more confident, focused, and in control in the saddle. From quick visualisations and mindful language to creating pre-ride routines and letting go of perfection, these practical tips help build your mental fitness an...

In this uplifting and insightful episode, Tracey is joined by Jackie McCormick, a remarkable woman whose 35-year journey supporting adults and families living with autism has been nothing short of transformative.   Jackie brings her deep compassion and experience as both a solution-focused therapist and hypnotherapist, alongside her work as a Centre 10 coach helping riders and horse owners achieve...

On this episode of Over the Oxer Podcast, I dive into the endless loop of worry, anxiety, and chaotic thinking that can follow riders both in the saddle and in everyday life. I'll explain why your mind might unconsciously prefer familiar patterns of stress over calm — and how this learned “worry equals safety” mindset can affect your nervous system, your riding, and your horse. You’ll learn: Why y...

A quick message to highlight 2 very special online events happening in November.   10th Nov 7:30pm Equestrian R Infinity - 'Horses, Heart, and Stories Behind Racing Silks - A live webinar from Equestrian R Infinity'   Register for this free webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/O36Effx0TGyn_3pyK7FJZw?fbclid=IwY2xjawN3AJpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrQlNWSEpVZVhmQnFJTVJ4AR5TLiyGoZ8yqDd5...

Today I'm chatting with Stella James, creator of the Horses Holistic Hub.  Stella has been an equine professional for over 40 years, and for 25 years an NLP Master Practitioner and Advanced Huna Practitioner. She's passionate about horses and personal development - but that is only scratching the surface of her talents.   Stella is qualified in yoga, Equine Facilitated Mentoring, Time Line Therapy...

In this solo episode, Tracey Cole explores the fascinating link between physical alignment and emotional balance. Drawing from her knowledge as both an NLP Master Trainer and a newly certified Tucker Biokinetic Technique (TBT) Functional Alignment Specialist, she explains how subtle shifts in the body can reprogramme the brain, release stored emotions, and transform the way we ride and connect wit...

This week, I'm chatting with Tracy-Anne Ormrod. Tracy is a co-founder of Lion Dog Apps, the developers of Dressage TestPro, the dressage learning app. She has been riding and competing since the age of 10 representing Great Britain at 4 European Championships as a pony rider. Tracy was elected British Dressage Para Director 4 years ago and starts her second term this October; she is also Chief Sel...

Breaking the Rules Behind High-Functioning Anxiety In this episode of Over the Oxer, I get into how high-functioning anxiety shows up in riders and equestrians. Discover why the same drive that fuels your success can also trigger tension, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Learn how hidden “rules” like I must ride every day or I’m only worthy if I’m busy quietly feed anxiety—and how to rewrite them fo...

High-functioning anxiety is incredibly common, largely unheard of and seldom talked about. But if you or someone you know is a high achiever, appears outwardly successful and inwardly a mass of stress, nerves and worries, then that's what it is. A problem arises when we start to believe that this way of being is normal and necessary. What are the red flags if it's mostly hidden? Let's find out!  ...

Did you enjoy reading pony books? Maybe you're a Pullein-Thompson sisters fan or a Jill/Jinny fan? Many of these books have been beautifully republished by Jane Badger Books and are available to read as paperbacks and e-books.    Jane publishes classic horse and pony books, and writes about them too. She's written Heroines on Horseback - the Pony Book in Children's Fiction, as well as a follow on...

My first solo episode after my little summer break. A round up of what I've been up to and a way to slow your mind.   Interested in Equestrian R Infinity and their retraining or ethical racehorse training and ownership? https://eqrltd.com/   Evening Bootcamp for Australia, New Zealand and East Asia (morning time in the UK/Europe too) Register your interest now by email info@traceycolenlp.com or me...

Alison Lincoln has been passionate about horses since childhood, moving from a traditional Pony Club and competition background into a lifelong exploration of equine performance, coaching, and welfare. After completing a pioneering degree in Equine Sports Coaching, she went on to lecture at equestrian colleges across the UK and authored her first book, Equine Sports Coaching, bringing coaching the...

A trigger is something that sets us off, usually in a negative way, bringing back an unpleasant memory or emotion that demands our attention. Our brains are naturally biased toward negativity. The great news is that there is a way to rebalance that bias. It's all about glimmers.   This episode is all about how to become a "glimmer hunter" and actively seek out these tiny positive moments using all...

Aileen Feeney is a producer of young showjumping and eventing horses. She show-jumped herself to a high level and ran a successful yard in Cheshire, England for 20 years before moving back and setting up business in Northern Ireland. Aileen is currently under investigation for Motor Neuron Disease (MND); this disease is a degenerative illness of the nervous system, usually progressing quickly and...

If your mind feels like it’s stuck on repeat—goong round and round, replaying conversations and rides, worrying about things that haven’t happened or spiralling just when you need calm—this episode is for you. We’re talking about perseverative cognition (yes, it’s a mouthful and I can hardly say it!); why it happens, how it affects your body and what you can do to break the cycle. With practical N...

Nicola Kinnard-Comedie (Msc, BHSAI Int. SM) is a mindset and business coach, helping equine and canine therapists to create their dream business, combining her industry experience with NLP Practitioner skills. Nicola mentors vets, and regularly lectures and speaks at Conferences in the UK and USA. She is the director of NKC Equestrian Training and host of the Healthy Horse Conference and annual CP...

What if the key to achieving your riding goals isn't in doing more, but in thinking differently about time? And specifically about the ride to come. In this episode,I talk about the fascinating world of Time Line Therapy®, focusing specifically on the underused future side of the time line—and how equestrians can harness this tool to unlock clarity, confidence, and calm in the saddle. Whether you'...

Sarah Rao, aka The Chines Dressage Girl, is one of the most inspiring riders and influencers in China and also in the UK.   She's represented China numerous times and made history with the first double international win for China. She's a youth ambassador of an FEI charity programme. She's based in Cheshire with Sarah Higgins.   We chat about her childhood in China, coming to the UK, her horses (a...

Who hasn't come out of a ring or got back from a ride feeling frustration or disappointment? Who hasn't known that the nerves have got the better of them? It's that sinking feeling that our minds are controlling us.  But there's no need to despair. Today's episode gives you a very quick technique to get a FAST and EFFECTIVE perspective on your riding and yourself as a rider. Get proactive, rather...

This week, I'm chatting with Ellie Halsey. Ellie did some sterling research on emotional labour in equestrian coaches and her findings are highly relevant to all riders and horse owners. Emotional labour is about the effortful way we all carry and suppress emotions in our daily lives, something equestrian coaches do quite a bit of!   Ellie is a Performance Coach/BHSI and British Equestrian Level 4...